Systems and methods for storage

ABSTRACT

In accordance with one embodiment, a system for storing commodities is provided. The system may include a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin may further have an internal strapping. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing commodities is provided. The method may include providing a tarpaulin. In one embodiment, the method for storing commodities may include configuring the tarpaulin to provide internal strapping.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/757,333filed Feb. 1, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 61/594,727 filed Feb. 3, 2012, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to storage covers,and more particularly to tarp covers.

Various types of protective covers have been developed for coveringpiles or mounds of particulate material, such as salt, sand, grain andthe like, from the effects of the weather while the material is inoutside storage.

While prior art covers are capable of protecting a pile or mound ofmaterials covered thereby, they possess a number of shortcomings. Forexample, in order to counteract the effects of aerodynamic lift exertedon such cover by the wind, a large number of ballast weights, such asautomobile tires, were attached to the cover at fixed attachment pointsso that the ballast weights rested on the cover between the top or apexand the lower margin of the pile. However, if the pile had an atypicalsize or shape, the height of the pile diminished, or as particulatematter was removed from the pile, the fixed attachment points ended upso close to the ground that the ballast weights rested on the groundwhich reduced or eliminated the effectiveness of the weights inmaintaining the cover on the pile.

The wind may also enter beneath the cover through a removal opening orotherwise get beneath the cover and exert tensile forces on the cover.In addition, the canvas material would develop rips if the stress becametoo great. However, once a canvas panel formed a rip, the rip had atendency to propagate and extend the entire length of the panel,resulting in a substantial cost to repair the rip. Such ripping may alsooccur in vinyl or polyethylene panels of a cover under certain stressconditions.

Bulk storage pile covers have been in use for a long time. However thereare some problems holding the covers down. The covers attach around theperimeter and in some cases also attach in the center. The cover is thenheld down by vacuum fans. Relying on vacuum fans to hold down the coversleaves them vulnerable to power outages. Any interruption in electricalservice leaves the cover subject to damage, although some users havebackup generators and others have tried external strapping systems. Whenused, external strapping systems are installed after the piles are full.However, new worker safety regulations on the use of fall protection,limits the use of external strapping systems.

Thus, there is a need for a cover for a pile of particulate materialwhich protects the pile from the elements and resists the effects ofwind and rain on the cover. A related need is for a cover which allowsfor the attachment of ballast weights at desired locations on the coverand also allows for each ballast attachment point to be shifted,compensating for changes in the shape and height of the pile.

There is a further need for a cover for a pile of particulate materialwhich prevents rips which may form in the panels compromising the coverfrom propagating for more than a desired short length that is easy torepair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Rather thanspecifically identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention, its purpose, inter alia, is topresent some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a preludeto the more detailed description that is presented later.

In accordance with one embodiment, a system for storing commodities isprovided. The system may include a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin may furtherhave an internal strapping.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing commodities isprovided. The method may include providing a tarpaulin. In oneembodiment, the method for storing commodities may include configuringthe tarpaulin to provide internal strapping. In accordance with anotherembodiment, a method of securing a tarpaulin and maintaining a weatherresistant cover is provided.

While the subject matter disclosed herein was designed for bulk grainpiles, the system for storing commodities may be used for any bulkstorage of commodities. The system provides storage for commodities inmoisture resistant ways. For example, the tarpaulin may be used to keepthe rain off of a stored commodity.

Optionally, the system for storage may be used to store salt, compost,silage, contaminated soil and the like. In an alternate embodiment, thestorage system may be used for storage tank covers such as water tanks.Optionally, the storage system may be used for providing partitioning orcompartments inside a storage tank.

In yet another embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein thesystem may be used for temporary work enclosures. Optionally, the systemfor storage may be used in any other scenario where a tarpaulin withweather resistant material may be used. The system disclosed herein mayemploy a plurality of tarpaulin designs. For example, the tarpaulin maybe round, square, rectangular oval, kidney bean shaped and the like, ormay be adaptable to any suitable shape, depending upon other factors,such as the shape of the storage area, type of particulate materialbeing protected, local terrain, incidence of inclement weather,susceptibility to wild animal foraging, and the like. In addition, thetarpaulin may be in the form of sections that will be assembled tocreate an entire cover.

The storage system may allow the storage area to be filled without theneed for end-user workers to get on the storage area surface after thetarpaulin is raised and the ground pile is filled. The workers may berequired to get on the tarpaulin where an external strapping system orother ballast may be employed. Thereby, the subject matter disclosedherein may eliminate the risk of workers falling off the pile. In yetanother embodiment, the system may be manufactured using weatherresistance material.

The internal strapping system may eliminate the need for a worker toclimb on top of the pile as the pile is filling or after filling iscomplete. In one embodiment, the subject matter disclosed herein mayinclude webbing. For example, the webbing may be part of the tarpaulinmaterial. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of webbing straps maybe provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the system is used in connection with aground surface that is surrounded by a retaining wall. In oneembodiment, the wall is between 6′ and 8′ in height, although in otherembodiments the wall may be higher or lower, depending upon the size,shape, and type of particulate to be stored. The wall may be fabricatedof steel, concrete, wood, or any other suitable material that willcontain the particulate and withstand the outward pressure of thecontents when the storage area is full. The retaining wall may be tiltedoutwardly at the top edge such that the perimeter of the top edge of theretaining wall is larger than the perimeter of the bottom edge of theretaining wall to form a frustoconical structure, and may also havesupporting angle iron braces drilled and ratchet mounted to the exteriorthe wall (or any other anchoring source that may be available), thatbolster the wall from further tilting under the internal pressuregenerated by the stored particulate. In a preferred embodiment, the topof the retaining wall may be tilted outwardly at an angle of about 30°.

In other embodiments, the storage system may be used without a retainingwall. In this case, the tarpaulin may be secured to anchors embedded inthe ground. If the storage area includes a flat surface of concrete orother man-made substance, anchors may be embedded in or otherwisesecurely attached to the substance so that the tarpaulin may betightened or released as required to permit loading, unloading, andstorage.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, the straps may be connected toa tensioning device at both the first end and the second end. In thisembodiment, the straps are anchored to a winch or similar tensionratcheting device which is attached to an angle iron brace.Alternatively, the straps may be directly anchored to a winching systemthat is situated on the ground or may simply be anchored to a groundedstake or similar device whereby the straps can be tightened or loosenedas desired.

The strap system may assist in keeping the tarpaulin in place withrespect to the outer walls in the event of high winds and/or loss ofpower to aeration fans. The strap system may further allow keeping thetarp in place in relation to the outer walls while the reverse suctionof an aeration fan may be turned off during fumigation process. Thesubject matter disclosed herein may allow holding the tarp in place ifthe aeration fans are turned off or should lose electricity from a powergrid.

Depending upon the terrain, the type of particulate to be stored, andother related factors, the storage area may be circular or oval inshape. Although other shapes are possible, the preferred embodiments usetarpaulins that are round or oval largely because those shapes permitthe most efficient use of the strapping system used with the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the tarpaulin will be provided in sectionsthat will be assembled and tensioned in accordance with the invention.The assembled tarpaulin is attached to the wall around the circumferenceof the storage area. In a preferred embodiment, the edges of thetarpaulin will be sandwiched between two wooden beams, one of which ismounted and secured to the top of the wall below the tarpaulin, and thesecond wood beam being above the tarpaulin and attached to the firstwith a tightening mechanism. The edges of the tarpaulin are placedbetween the two wooden beams which are then tightened together to holdthe tarpaulin securely.

The tarpaulin sections are constructed with tunnel-like pockets runninglengthwise or crosswise through the tarpaulin. A securing strap ispassed through each pocket, and generally extends outwardly from theedges of the tarpaulin. Where two tarpaulin sections meet, the strapsare connected using a connector such as a carabiner, ring, or if thestrap ends have grommets, they could be connected using a plastic tiewrap, a bolt, cable, padlock, other any other strong connector. In someembodiments, the straps may be tied securely to one another. Where thestrap extends from a tarpaulin edge at the retaining wall, it may besecured to an external point beside the tarpaulin where it can beanchored or otherwise securely affixed to a non-movable point. In apreferred embodiment, a winch may be attached to one of the angle ironbraces, and will receive the end of the strap in a manner that permitsthe strap to be tensioned by a ratchet. When the storage area is filled,the straps may be ratcheted or otherwise tensioned so as to hold thetarpaulin tightly against the material being stored. Handles attached tothe underside of the tarpaulin may allow grab points for workers to pullsections together on while deploying the storage system.

The tarpaulin sections may be configured for simple attachment to oneanother using plastic tie-wraps or similar closing mechanism passedthrough grommets in the tarpaulin. Alternatively, sections may beattached using clips, wires, laces, hook and loop fasteners, bolts, orany other equivalent fastening mechanism. A rain flap may extend overthe seam between two sections, and the flap may be secured using snapsor a hook and loop or other suitable fastener. Handles may be providedon the interior surface of the tarpaulin to allow workers assembling thesections to have a better grip and apply leverage when pulling two seamssections together to form a seam. Once the tarpaulin sections have beenassembled, the resulting tarpaulin may be used to cover grain or anyother suitable particulate material, and may be tightened with winchesand ratchets to hold the tarpaulin against the material being stored.

In the prior art, vacuum fans have been situated so as to suck air fromwithin the tarpaulin-enclosed storage area serve to further tighten thetarpaulin against the storage material, and help to prevent thetarpaulin from flapping when blown by wind outside the tarpaulin.However, in the event of power failures, which common experiencedictates occur most frequently during storms that generate high winds,the vacuum fans fail, thereby exacerbating the conditions which causethe tarpaulin to flap. In higher force winds, the flapping can cause thetarpaulin to rip or fail, and the contents of the storage area to bedestroyed or disbursed by the high winds. Although the inventioncontemplates the use of vacuum fans to enhance the effects of straps andthe perimeter attachment system, the invention represents an improvementover the prior art since the tarpaulin of the invention will provideadequate storage and protection from wind and rain even in the absenceof electricity to power the vacuum fans.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detailcertain illustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed and the present invention isintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description of the invention when considered inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, in which like numerals represent similar parts, illustrategenerally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, variousembodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a storage tarpaulin andretaining wall with angle iron braces.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin asdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2a is a detailed diagram of the edge of the tarpaulin of FIG. 1,showing the strapping within a pocket of the tarpaulin.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a storagetarpaulin and retaining wall with angle iron braces.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin asdepicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a round tarpaulin.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin in the shape of anoval with straps running crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the oval.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin in the shape of anoval with straps running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oval.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a round tarpaulin inwhich the straps terminate at a mid-point in the tarpaulin.

FIG. 9 illustrates a retaining wall and angle iron brace in crosssection with a tarpaulin sandwiched between a board and the retainingwall, and a strap attached to a winch.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of connecting two tarpaulin sections.

FIG. 11 depicts two straps attached using a carabiner.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of the storage system in which a retainingwall is not used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a storage surface area having a perimeter witha tarpaulin 10 secured to a retaining wall 12 extending around theperimeter of the storage surface area. Straps 14 extend through internaltunnels or pockets (not visible) integral to the tarpaulin. Angle ironbraces 18 extend around the outside perimeter of the retaining wall 12.A top opening 20 allows particulate, preferably grain, to be loaded tothe storage area using an overhead conveyor (not shown). In FIG. 1,straps are passed generally across the tarpaulin from one side toanother and are secured on either side of the storage area. Internalstraps 14 are encased in lengthwise pockets that are integral to thetarpaulin, and may be secured to an external anchor where they extendthrough the tarpaulin. The straps can be made from any suitablematerial, including but not limited to rope, cord, webbing or cable.

In the invention, straps are placed under tension to provide a generallydownwardly directed force to secure the tarpaulin and the underlyingparticulate material being stored against undesired movement during theperiod of storage. Pockets are provided to hold the straps in place withrespect to the tarpaulin, and the pockets do not experience tensionalong the length of the pocket.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of pockets and straps extendingin a generally parallel direction may be spaced apart by between about 3feet up to about 24 feet. Alternate embodiments may have variablespacing between adjacent straps and pockets.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a round tarpaulin 10 in which parallel pockets16 and straps 14 extend across the tarpaulin. One or more lifting rings50 may be attached at or near the top of the tarpaulin to assist ininstallation and removal. A center opening 20 is used for filling thestorage area. The tarpaulin depicted in FIG. 2 may be comprised of aplurality of sections which can be adjoined together to create a largersurface area.

FIG. 2a depicts the detail of the tarpaulin 10 and pocket 16 throughwhich a strap 14 is passed. Pockets may be used wherever it is necessaryto secure a strap such that the strap must physically pass from within apocket to the outside of the tarpaulin where it may be fastened to someother object. FIG. 2a is an enlarged, detailed view showing thestructure of the tarpaulin 10 in the vicinity of straps 14, which, in apreferred embodiment, may be enclosed in pockets 16. The straps may ofany material, including rope, cord, webbing, or cable. In a preferredembodiment, the straps 14 may be between 1 and 3 inches in width. Insome embodiments, the straps 14 may be fully movable longitudinallywithin the pocket 16. In some embodiments, the pockets 16 may bethermally bonded to the tarpaulin 10. Optionally, any other suitablemethod such as stitching or adhesive may be used to bond the pockets tothe tarpaulin. It should be noted that the word “tarp” and “tarpaulin”may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of the storage system in which straps14 within a tarpaulin 10 run at an angle before passing over the top ofthe storage area. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, additionalstrength is provided on one side of the storage area by the higherincidence of straps on one side.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage system of FIG. 3. Straps 14generally provide support in a localized section of the tarpaulin. Suchlocalized support might be desirable in situations in which there is aprevailing wind that constantly wears against one side of the tarpaulin.

Other strap and webbing configurations may be used as circumstancesrequire. FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the tarpaulin andstrap system depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 5, parallel pockets runacross of the tarpaulin and straps 14 are within the pockets. Aperpendicular cross-strap 26 provides strength and tensioning ability ina direction that is perpendicular to the parallel straps. A center hole20 may have a reinforced collar or other device to allow perpendicularstrap 26 and one of the parallel straps to meet and connect at thecenter hole.

FIG. 6 depicts a plan view of another embodiment of a storage tarpaulin.In this embodiment, pockets and straps 14 run crosswise to the long axisof the oval tarpaulin. This configuration may be suitable for a storagearea in which material is to be deposited or removed from either or bothends. As material is added, straps at the vicinity of the area wherematerial is added can be adjusted by loosening until the particulate hasbeen added, or by tightening to secure the tarpaulin against thematerial. This can be done in a localized area without the need toadjust straps in other parts of the storage area.

Another oval embodiment is shown in the plan view of FIG. 7. In FIG. 7,the pockets run lengthwise on the long axis of the oval tarpaulin.Straps 14 are be used to tension the tarpaulin against the storedmaterial.

FIG. 8 is a plan view depicting an alternative embodiment of a roundtarpaulin that may be assembled in four sections. In this configuration,parallel straps 14 intersect and join perpendicular straps 26. Pocketsenclose all straps. In each section, parallel straps extend from theedge of the tarpaulin about half of the distance across the tarpaulin,only as far as a perpendicular strap where they are joined andterminate.

FIG. 9 depicts the retaining wall 12 (in cross section) and demonstrateshow the tarpaulin 10 and strap 14 may be anchored to angle iron brace 28which is situated adjacent to retaining wall 12. In this embodiment,board 32 runs lengthwise along the top of the retaining wall 12. Justbefore the tarpaulin reaches the board 32 the strap 14 leaves thetarpaulin through a hole in the pocket 16 and passes over the board 32.The tarpaulin 10 extends between the top of the retaining wall 12 andthe board 32, and is pressed between the retaining wall 12 and board 32when the board is tightened against the retaining wall with screws,clamps, or some other suitable tightening mechanism. Strap 14 runs overthe board and terminates at a winch 30, ratchet, or other suitabledevice that may be used to tension the strap. As depicted in FIG. 9,angle iron brace 28 further supports winch 30. In this embodiment, thewinch 30 and supporting angle iron brace 28 are the anchors whichtighten and secure tarpaulin 10.

FIG. 10 depicts a seam between two tarpaulin sections 10, and also showsan integral handle 44 for closing the two sections. A rain flap 38 isused to keep water out of the storage area. The rain flap 38 may beattached to the tarpaulin by stitching 40, or preferably by heatbonding. A hook and loop fastener 42, 46 may be used to seal the rainflap against becoming unsecured by wind or the elements. Where therespective edges of two adjacent sections meet, opposing grommets 34 areused to hold the sections together and are tied with a plastic tie wrap36, a cord, cable, chain, carabiner or any other suitable closingmechanism.

At times, it may be necessary to secure two straps 14 to one another.When this is done as shown in FIG. 11, a carabiner 48 may be used topass through opposing loops in the straps 14. A carabiner may have aquick release or spring loaded link that may be opened to secure orloose the straps. Optionally, straps may have grommets or otherreinforcements embedded at the end, and two straps may be connected by ascrew or nut and bolt.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of the storage system in which a retainingwall is not used. Although any suitable ground anchoring component maybe used, one of the simplest, which is depicted in FIG. 12, is stakes 50that may be embedded in the ground or may be embedded in or otherwisesecured to a ground covering 52. In an embodiment, the ground coveringmay be a tarpaulin material that attaches to the tarpaulin 10 around thebase perimeter of the storage area, thereby preventing the materialbeing stored from escaping below the tarpaulin 10, or allowing wind orrain to enter the storage area from beneath the tarpaulin 10.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tarpaulinengages a ground covering section. The ground covering section is laidon the ground, whereupon particulate material is piled on top of theground covering. Once the particulate material has been piled on theground covering, the perimeter of the tarpaulin is secured to theperimeter of the ground covering using a hook and loop fastener, or bysewing the perimeters together, or by using any other equivalentstructure for securing the perimeter of the tarpaulin to the perimeterof the ground covering. Once the tarpaulin and ground covering have beensecured to one another, an internal strapping system—as describedherein—may then be utilized to tighten and further secure the groundcovering and tarpaulin to the particulate material contained therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of storing a bulk pile of particulatematerial on a storage area surface, the storage area surface having astorage perimeter defined at a ground surface within which the pile ofbulk material is stored substantially on or proximate to the groundsurface, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tarpaulinover the storage area surface and over a retaining wall wherein theretaining wall is provided along the storage perimeter and a lower edgeat the storage perimeter and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, andthe tarpaulin having a perimeter edge, at least one tunnel integrallybonded to the tarpaulin, and a securing strap provided within the atleast one tunnel; extending a first end of the securing strap beyond theperimeter edge; securing the tarpaulin over the storage area surface,including securing the first end of the securing strap; positioning aboard over the upper edge of the retaining wall, a space between theboard and the upper edge of the retaining wall defining an opening;feeding the perimeter edge of the tarpaulin through the opening; andsecuring the board to the upper edge of the retaining wall.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said securing strap is freely moveable withinthe at least one tunnel.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the extendingstep further comprises extending a second end of the strap beyond theperimeter edge, the second end of the strap opposite the first end ofthe strap, and wherein the securing step further comprises securing thesecond end of the strap.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the securedfirst and second ends of the strap are adjustable so as to vary atension of the strap.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tarpaulinfurther includes an opening, and the method further comprises: fillingthe storage area surface with particulate material through the openingand adjusting the tension of the strap as the storage area surface isfilled and the particulate material presses against the securedtarpaulin.
 6. A method of storing a bulk pile of particulate material ona storage area surface, the storage area surface having a storageperimeter defined at a ground surface within which the pile of bulkmaterial is stored substantially on or proximate to the ground surface,the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tarpaulin over thestorage area surface and over a retaining wall wherein the retainingwall is provided along the storage perimeter and a lower edge at thestorage perimeter and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, and thetarpaulin having a perimeter edge, at least one tunnel integrally bondedto the tarpaulin, and a securing strap provided within the at least onetunnel; extending a first end of the securing strap beyond the perimeteredge; securing the tarpaulin over the storage area surface, includingsecuring the first end of the securing strap; positioning a board overthe upper edge of the retaining wall, a space between the board and theupper edge of the retaining wall defining an opening; feeding theperimeter edge of the tarpaulin through the opening; and securing theboard to the upper edge of the retaining wall; and extending the strapover the board.
 7. A method of storing a bulk pile of particulatematerial on a storage area surface, the storage area surface having astorage perimeter defined at a ground surface within which the pile ofbulk material is stored substantially on or proximate to the groundsurface, and a retaining wall positioned along the storage perimeter,the retaining wall having a lower edge positioned at the storage areaperimeter and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, the methodcomprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of tarpaulins over thestorage area surface and over the retaining wall, including joining eachpositioned tarpaulin at an adjacent edge, and each tarpaulin including aperimeter edge, at least one tunnel integrally bonded to the tarpaulin,and a securing strap provided within the at least one tunnel; extendinga first end of the securing strap over the upper edge of the retainingwall and beyond the perimeter edge; securing the plurality of tarpaulinsover the storage area surface and over the retaining wall, includingextending the first end of the securing strap over the upper edge of theretaining wall and securing the first end of the securing strap;positioning at least one board over the upper edge of the retainingwall, a space between the at least one board and the upper edge of theretaining wall defining an opening; feeding the perimeter edge of atleast one of the plurality of tarpaulins through the opening, andsecuring the at least one board to the upper edge of the retaining wall.8. The method of claim 7, wherein said securing strap is freely moveablewithin the at least one tunnel.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein theextending step further comprises extending a second end of the strapover the upper edge of the retaining wall, the second end of the strapopposite the first end of the strap, and wherein the securing stepfurther comprises extending the second end of the strap over the upperedge of the retaining wall and securing the second end of the strap. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the secured first and second ends of thestrap are adjustable so as to vary a tension of the strap, wherein theplurality of tarpaulins form an opening, and the method furthercomprises: filling the storage area surface with particulate materialthrough the opening and adjusting the tension of the strap as thestorage area surface is filled and the particulate material pressesagainst the secured tarpaulin.